Ferrari to keep Kimi waiting

Ferrari will delay a potential new deal with Kimi Raikkonen to apparently keep the Finn motivated.

Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene claims this will keep the 2007 Formula One World Champion focussed ahead of the remainder of the season.

‘He has demonstrated he’s a great driver so if you’re asking now if he deserves to renew the option, I’m going to say yes.

‘But if I’m going to say yes, I don’t want a driver to fall asleep.’ he told the BBC.

‘Kimi is giving his best when he’s in a bit of trouble. This is the psychological approach.

But others in the paddock and media will just wonder if this is a ploy to keep Ferrari’s options open.

It may remain a small hypothetical chance, but Two-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton could be available in 2016.

The British driver is yet to sign a new deal with Mercedes and the delay in the completion of a contract extension has baffled many and has lead to speculation that he could be contemplating a shock move from Mercedes to Ferrari.

However, despite a number of reports on various Ferrari approaches towards Hamilton, Arrivabene has denied interest in the defending F1 title holder: ‘Did Lewis Hamilton call you? Because he never called me.

‘Every driver here in the paddock, they want to drive for Ferrari, this is normal. Even guys that were quite a lot of times world champion.

‘But I’m happy with the drivers we have. This doesn’t mean I want to sign tomorrow with Kimi. We were very, very clear, I repeat again and again, I said to Kimi ‘look, it depends on your performance’.’